How to Donate Old Prom Dresses

You won't wear it again, so donate it to someone who will.

Prom is something celebrated by high schools and high school students all over the country. Every spring teenage girls flock to hair salons and dress shops looking for the perfect gown and hair style, while local florists find themselves inundated with orders for corsages by teen boys.



Unfortunately, this much anticipated event and all of its expenses cause a fair amount of stress. Hair dos, gowns, tickets to the dance and other items do not come cheaply, and many families cannot afford the cost. That's where prom dress donations come into play; charities across the nation collect stylish, gently-used gowns and accessories to distribute to girls who otherwise won't be attending their prom.

Instructions

1. Locate a charity that accepts prom dress donations for underprivileged girls. Donatemydress.org is a national foundation supported by companies such as "Seventeen" magazine and "Teen" magazine. The foundation website provides a list of every prom dress charity in the nation so generous donors can locate the prom dress charity nearest their location to donate gowns, gift cards and accessories to girls in need.

2. Clean your dress. Dirty, torn, ripped or otherwise damaged dresses are not accepted by charity because they cannot be worn by teen girls to prom.

3. Contact your nearest prom dress charity to obtain specifics, such as donation locations, times and what type of gowns are accepted. Most charities will not accept dresses more than five years old as they are no longer considered stylish. If you are unsure whether or not your dress is still in style, many charities provide guidelines so you can determine if your dress is too out-of-date for the charity to accept.

4. Drop off or mail your dress and/or accessories to your charity. You will receive a tax receipt for your donation to use on your federal income tax return if you itemize deductions and want to deduct the cost of your donation.

Tips & Warnings

• If you have any accessories to match your dress such as shoes, jewelry or evening bags, your charity will gladly accept these items in addition to your dress.

References

• Donate My Dress: About Donate My Dress
• Donate My Dress: Where to Donate and Receive